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When I returned to my home in Kitgum (Northern Uganda) a little under two weeks ago, I hit the ground running. I had to prepare for my sister coming this month, my parents and a team from our church coming next month, conferences, renewing paperwork for our NGO (Non-Government Organization), and my wedding. I had to organize myself to make sure I optimized my time, so I had every day of the next month or so tightly scheduled. It was life in full force. But then, life oftentimes gets interrupted without warning. I got a call on Monday morning that my fiance’s father passed away the night before. Just three days before this we were making plans to visit him in the village after our wedding, as we knew he was disabled and couldn’t make it all the way up to where we were having our ceremony. This would be my first opportunity to meet him. Now, just like that, he was gone. And just like that my well-planned schedule and organizing of things suddenly meant nothing. I packed a bag and the next day I drove back down from Kitgum to Kampala. From there I met Robb (my fiancé) and we drove another 4 1/2 hours to Eastern Uganda. Fifteen hours in the car and then a brief sleepless night, followed by another hour or so drive from there deep into the village where the burial was taking place. The funeral lasted all day and then we drove back to Kampala. I got there at midnight last night and woke up this morning to face whatever may come my way.

I do ministry in Kitgum and it is important to organize our schedule and setup and maintain the different outreaches and programs we run; But I am learning more and more that ministry is not about programs and schedules. They are not bad things, but they can be consuming. Ministry is about people. Whether that means sitting under a mango tree for a Bible study in Kitgum, calling a friend in need, or driving fifteen hours to show support for those who are grieving a terrible loss, it is all the same. It all boils down to relationships. I can easily lose sight of this in my quest for order and organization, but death is a stark reminder and a kick in the pants in regards to what truly matters. I fail so often but I’m so thankful for God’s mercy and each new day to get it right.Everything else can wait, but people are of infinite value and importance. (Just ask Jesus the value of one life, and think of Him dying on the cross for the worst of us.)

When what truly matters becomes just a blurry background in your life, stop and smell the roses. Call a friend. Invest in a person. Be an encouragement and a blessing. Put the phone, computer, calendar away from time to time and remember that those things aren’t real life. The people we see, share with, love and lead to Christ- this is real life. Let everything else become blurry and that be clear. Let us live for eternity, with a clear line of sight toward God and people.

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://www.ericambasan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_0088.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Hi, my name is Erica and I am a God-called missionary for Northern Uganda. It is my passion and life-calling to bring God’s word to the people of the world. Each and every one of us can do our part in spreading God’s word to people in need of Jesus’ healing touch and hope. Trying to figure out if God has called you to the mission field? Do you want to learn more about what it’s like to be a missionary? Check out my book, For the Joy Set Before Us – Insights Into the Missionary Journey today.[/author_info] [/author]